Why does God describe us as soil? It seems like a strange idea. An example is in Mark Chapter 4:3, “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.” Mark then describes different soils, from rocky to fertile, in which the farmer planted his seeds.
What God wants to do, just as any gardener, is to plant for a purpose. He wants to grow fruit. Gardeners know that soil is critical in supporting a good harvest. In this metaphor, we are described as the soil that will produce or not and God sows the seed of his word in our lives.
How do we become good soil? It really comes down to allowing God to love us through his law and grace. Becoming good soil begins with looking at ourselves. Examining ourselves is one of our most critical activities in life.
The mistake we can make is seeing our problems and needs only as outside ourselves. We can believe external things and other people need to change. Yet, the soil of our lives is inside ourselves. Here we can see our imperfections and where we miss God’s purpose for our lives. The seed grows within us when God delivers his grace to raise us above our imperfections. We grow when we understand the grace of God is given through Christ Jesus. Here we find hope and healing in our lives.
